Why gay marriage lost big this week (and is Obama partly to blame?)

From the Community…

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  Posted by Morgan Thu Nov 6, 2008 1:08pm PST

  I know I'll probably get a lot of icky comments following this, but I was Yes on Prop 8. I have had a lot of gay and lesbian friends, and I accept their lifestyles, but a sexual preference is nothing that should be paraded around in front of children. It should be the parent's job, not the states' to introduce the concept of alternative lifestyles to their children.

  I also think that the supreme court's decision to deliberately go against the people's majority vote and allow gay marraige, even for a small amount of time, is an abuse of power. Imagine if it was something that affected us all- allowing child abuse for a week, or dumping mass amounts of toxic sewage into the ocean for a month? We would be up in arms in a second.

  The reality is that most people view marraige as a sacred bond between a man and a woman, and only chanted "NO on 8" so that they didn't taint their image or offend their friends. Who wants "Party A" and "Party B" on a marraige certificate? All of the couples that have been married thus far have been "man and wife" not an analagous label.

  I believe in equal rights, I want gay partners to be able to get the same tax breaks as a normal married couple, but why would you want to give rights to gays just to take them away from religious institutions? If Prop 8 had lost, refusing to marry gays on religious grounds would make churches lose their tax exempt status. Since when have we been for prosecuting people for religous beliefs?

  I don't see any clear path to equality, and both sides of the argument are valid.

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  Posted by Monique Thu Nov 6, 2008 1:39pm PST

  So letting people who love eachother marry is comparable to child abuse and dumping toxic sewage? Wow, I feel very sad that a person could have such a skewed vision. For those who claim the bible defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, I had the assumption the U.S. government functioned under a separation of church and state. Parents can teach their children whatever they want, but people's rights shouldn't be denied so parents don't have to explain to their children about sam sex couples.

  It seems all the hubbub is over the word marriage. Here's a solution, change the word marriage for another one, one that is applied to same sex and male/female unions. That seems the only way to quell the disagreement.

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  Posted by LauraH Thu Nov 6, 2008 1:54pm PST

  I was terribly saddened by the result of Prop 8 (and 102 here in AZ) because I care about people's rights and issues of equality.

  Mo_Shmo says "I also think that the supreme court's decision to deliberately go against the people's majority vote and allow gay marraige, even for a small amount of time, is an abuse of power." I imagine that in 1964, when the Civil Rights Act passed prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of things such as race and gender, that people would have voted against this in some states, particularly the South. In some places and times, people did not want to be forced to give equal opportunities to Blacks and women. Does this mean that there shouldn't have been a law giving people equal rights just because the majority may oppose it?

  GLTB people are going to exist and be couples whether you like it or not. Your children are going to likely see same-sex couples eventually, perhaps holding hands; does it really matter to your children if they are married or not?

  I also hate the sanctity of marriage BS. Why don't you raise a bunch of money to boycott shows such as The Bachelor (and who could forget Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire?)? Yes, marriage is so sacred these days that about half end in divorce!

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  Posted by marmar Thu Nov 6, 2008 2:18pm PST

  they should just let them be and be happy, how is anyone to say where or with whom your happines is anyways. live your life the way you want it and dont worry about what anyones say's. with prop 8 i was all with it to bad there alot of closed ming people in this world, and as far as the kids know that ther parents and they are going to love you no matter what, and will take it in and be happy for you.

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  Posted by Mikedawg53 Thu Nov 6, 2008 2:19pm PST

  Sorry the majority of the people voted for the ban it's just not one persons fault.

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  Posted by Niki Thu Nov 6, 2008 3:06pm PST

  People really just need to get a grip on life. Somehow doctor assisted suicide is legal but gay marriage isn't. There is no such thing as the sanctity of marriage. Not when we have people getting married 3+ times or getting divorced within a week of getting hitched. Conservatives need to chuck their bibles aside for a moment and just realize that their opinion has no bearing on someone else's happiness.

  Proposition 8 was one of the biggest mistakes ever made. I hope for the sake of Progress and humanity, we can rectify this mistake.

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  Posted by Steph Thu Nov 6, 2008 3:29pm PST

  Mo_Shmo, as a woman you should know better. The 19th amendment BARELY passed in 1919...but I bet you're sure glad it did, huh?

  If this were about women's or african america rights, it would be uncalled for. I understand that voting and marriage aren't the same thing, but I'm simply talking about EQUAL RIGHTS.

  The thing that really gets me about this is that homosexuals come in every race and gender...and we actually let this pass?! And please tell me what is so wrong with a child learning about REALITY?

  If you're letting your religious views get in the way of equality then you are seriously diluted.

  I do have a feeling though that this won't last forever because it is technically unconstitutional. I really hope I'm not wrong.

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  Posted by marlon c Thu Nov 6, 2008 3:30pm PST

  If we are trying to protect children then why not ban Divorce! That should be the issue...Protect families! Heterosexual Americans have trivialized the institution to such a degree that we change spouses like we change cars, a cell phone and cable providers. I am a father and a gay man and personally dont want to get married. But it shouldn't be up to me to decide who should or shouldn't.

  Religious views aside it's a clear issue Marriage is a right to ALL.

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  Posted by Ambir Thu Nov 6, 2008 3:50pm PST

  I feel that its everyones right no matter what to have a life together and if marriage is what they then let them have it. I did the marriage thing and it sucked. I hope others have a better change then I did.

  I like what marlon said. Ban divorce!!! Love it..that might work out well. Why cant a gay man raise a child? Whats wrong with them? Are they break? If they need help I am sure they can ask questions like I can.. i know a few couples who have raised children. I have sent my children over there. They played and had a blast. Its not like a disease.OMg i am sorry I hope that wasnt ugly. Its wasnt meant to be..

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  Posted by Rae Thu Nov 6, 2008 4:21pm PST

  I am sorry to say this but there never should have been a proposition 8 in the first place. Who do hermaphrodites marry? Eunichs? You know that these situations exist. There are all sorts of forms of love and it can be true and everlasting and there needs to be a way for manogamous unions to be honored between EVERYONE. Not just a man and a woman because as you can see if you open your eyes, there are more levels that are ALIVE TODAY that are not just MALE or FEMALE. I believe we are overstepping our boundaries to vote on something like this. It is a fundamental right to love and be loved. That is my take on it. I dont even understand WHY it had to be voted on in the first place.-Rachel.

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